The Passion Project by London Sperry is a heartfelt and engaging story about grief, healing, and rediscovering joy.

Bennet Taylor’s journey feels very real—she’s stuck, overwhelmed by grief, and just trying to find her footing again. At times, the story felt heavy, but given the themes of loss and growth, it made sense and added emotional depth to her character. I appreciated that the author didn’t rush Bennet’s healing process; it felt honest and relatable.

Henry was such a bright spot. His patience, humor, and the friendship-first dynamic he built with Bennet were refreshing and charming. Their adventures around New York City brought some lightness to the story, and I loved seeing Bennet slowly come back to life through each new experience. There’s a good balance of sparkling banter and heartfelt moments that kept me invested throughout.

The Passion Project is a flirty, fun, yet thoughtful read perfect for anyone who loves stories about finding happiness after heartache. I look forward to reading more from London Sperry!

This book was seriously so phenomenal. I’m obsessed with everything about it, especially Henry and how sweet and understanding he was. I loved how well he treated Bennett. I also really loved Bennett’s character, and despite not going through grief like her, I could relate to her some of her overactive thoughts and moments of panic. This book really really spoke to me, it’s definitely one of my new all time favorites!

I was going to give this five stars up until the 80% mark now it’s a 3.5.

I think the author did really well writing this and it was actually very enjoyable. I lovedddd Henry but Bennett made me pretty annoyed at times. I didn’t like how she constantly pushed everyone away and hurting them in the process. Although I do understand why she did it it still annoyed me. Especially during the wedding between her and Henry I couldn’t. Henry didn’t deserve any of that at all.

I think that if Bennett had been better at communicating with him and even her friends this would’ve stayed at five stars. I will say that Bennett was relatable at times.

I am kinda sad that this could’ve been a perfect book had the miscommunication not happened 😔😔😔 but I still think it was good. I mean it had me excited to pick it up whenever I could and then once we hit 80% it seemed like everything just fell apart.

I LOVED this book! The main characters, Bennet and Henry were so well written, and I connected with each of their individual stories. I loved following Bennet and Henry navigate grief while learning how to live and love in NYC! The Passion Project touched my heart and soul, and was exactly what I needed to spark the pursuit of passion in my own life. Everyone needs to read this book!

I really enjoyed this book! The narrator did an incredible job on the audio. This book captures so much wittiness and banter while also struggling with overwhelming depression, grief and anxiety. Both heartfelt and humorous!

This book is the debut novel by London Sperry and that's hard to believe. It's so good. I guess the informal theme for this book should be "Having your shit together is not a prerequisite for love." It's also my favorite quote from this book. This is a romantic story about a girl named Bennet who is still in love with her late boyfriend from college. She has tried to move on but just hasn't. Then she meets Henry. Henry talks her into doing Passion Projects to try to find out how to get her passion for life back. Of course, over the summer of projects they fall for each other. Will Henry's love for Bennet be enough to help her get past her grief for Sam? Read the book, you'll love it! Thanks to @NetGalley for the ARC of this book. I loved it! I'm sure this won't be my last book by London Speery!

“Having your shit together isn’t a prerequisite for love.” This was such an emotionally devastating book but so so good! I loved how Bennet’s grief journey is portrayed and it reminds that healing isn’t linear and that you don’t need to be perfect for love to find you. It’s okay to be a work in progress.

10/10 no notes. Thank you to Viking Penguin Publishing & Netgalley for an ARC of Passion Project.

Wow. I didn’t know I would end up reading this book at the perfect time, but somehow it just ended up that way. I didn’t know this book would touch on grief and mental health, but it did so in such a beautiful, real way. It just so happened I needed this story when I did, and I couldn’t be more glad to have been able to read this story. I adored Bennett & Henry so much, and I loved following along their passion project journey. I can’t wait to recommend this book to everyone at work and to all the customers who come into Barnes & Noble!!

Read this IMMEDIATELY. I didn't expect to enjoy this one as much as I did. What a beautiful exploration of true love, lasting friendships, forgiving oneself, following one's passions, and overcoming grief. This hooked me from the very first page with it's witty writing and lovable characters. Bennet and Henry, I miss you already. Thank you NetGalley for my early reader copy of the book!

“Having your shit together is not a prerequisite for love.”
LOVED this quote from the book!

To start off, I thought London Sperry did such a good job capturing the New York City energy!! The cover is also stunning and bright, perfect for a spring or summer read. 
As someone who grew up watching a lot of early 2000’s rom com movies, this book reminded me SO much of the movies I used to watch. 


It was an easy and enjoyable read and watching the relationship grow between the main characters was cute. However, this book also covers some heavier topics like grief, guilt, depression, and the loss of a loved one. These aren’t light themes, but London Sperry did a great job working in these topics while still keeping the story light.



Giving this book a 3.5 stars because towards the end, I just didn’t like Bennet’s attitude towards Henry before the ending. Overall, it was a decent debut novel and worth reading if you want an easy fluffy read!

This was so different from any type of romance I’ve ever read. Reading about someone who’s struggling through grief, depression, self doubt and anxiety is such a tough topic but I think this author did an incredible job of articulating it. I gave it a four stars because I thought Bennet and Henry were such flawed yet likable characters. Bennet shows an important lesson of how at times you need to put yourself first. I really loved this book and would definitely recommend. Thanks so much to Penguin books and Net Galley for this ARC.

Solid 3.75 star read that I'm rounding to a 4. I actually really liked this book! I wasn't sure about it in the beginning, but it was a pretty quick read, which is always nice. I will say that I loved how the characters were pretty relatable - especially with the dialogue surrounding the topic of grief. I love a good friends-to-lovers trope, so I was in it from the beginning based on that alone. It was really easy to fall in love with these characters and to root for them, even though I did find Bennet annoying at times. I could have done with a little less self sabotage, but it kind of speaks to the way grief takes over sometimes. I know other reviewers are saying this, but it's hard to believe this is a debut!! I can't wait to read more from this author.

Thank you so much to Viking for the gifted ARC!

I was beyond excited for this one and LOVE that it was a debut!

Overall, the whole premise of "finding your passion" with different challenges was so fun and unique! I really enjoyed that part of the plot line!

On the other hand, the past trauma wasn't my favorite as it felt very similar to many recent romance books I've read lately.

I do feel like there was enough uniqueness to set this one apart though and think it will be a big hit for many!

3.5 stars rounded up

This is out now!

What a fun summer book! FMC is anxious and relatable to us millennials! MMC is everything you could want in a lead role. The ups and downs make this book irresistible to put down.

ALC/BOOK REVIEW

Passion Project by London Sperry

Thank you Penguin Books Viking for the free eARC of this book and another thank you to PRHA for the free audiobook! #PRHAudioPartner

SYNOPSIS: Bennet Taylor feels stuck in her twenties, until a chance reunion with almost-date Henry sparks an idea. Together, they explore new adventures every Saturday to reignite her passion for life. As friendship deepens and secrets emerge, Bennet must choose whether she’s ready to truly move on.

REVIEW: What a lovely debut! London Sperry is certainly a romance voice to watch out for, and I’m thrilled that I got to read this one early.

This book made me fall in love with New York City all over again as Bennet and Henry go on each of their little adventures to find Bennet’s spark in life.

Alex Finke did a such a great job with this one, as always! It was so pleasant to listen to. I thoroughly enjoyed every single minute. The expression she brings to the characters is simply addicting!

I’ve seen folks compare this one to Cara Bastone’s recent release Promise Me Sunshine, and I think there is validity in that. While the two are very different in their stories, characters, and construction, both books beautifully balance grief and love, loss and new friendship.

Looking for books at add to your beach bag? Look no further! Passion Project will make you laugh, cry, and appreciate all that is life.

Publisher: Penguin Books Viking, PRHA
Pub date: 4/8/25 – OUT NOW!!

Passion Project was fun and heart-warming--it's hard to believe it's Sperry's debut! Bennet is a twenty-something grieving girl who is struggling to make it in NYC. After her boyfriend dies, Bennet moves to New York to honor his memory. Working double-shifts for a temping agency, along with crippling grief and depression, keep Bennet from exploring everything that New York has to offer. When she meets Henry on a disastrous first-date, her life slowly starts to change for the better. Together, Bennet and Henry embark on a months-long "Passion Project," and I loved reading about their adventures. This book was the perfect blend of fun rom-com with enough depth and heart to keep me invested until the perfect ending. Thank you to Netgalley, Penguin, and author London Sperry for the librarian preview copy!

I had such high hopes for this read. I adored Henry as a MMC but Bennet really rubbed me the wrong way. She was just immature and really selfish. She frequently used her grief as an excuse to be a mean and kinda terrible person. As someone who genuinely enjoys the microtrope of love after loss, I felt like the book just fell short for me. The potential was there for me and a lot of the scenes were wonderful but I just didn’t love it.

Bennett Taylor is sad. She recently moved to New York in an attempt to honor her recently deceased boyfriend by living his dream of living in the city. But things aren't great. She's working as a temp, has no social life, and is sinking into a deep depression when her roommate convinces her to go on a date with a recent match. But Bennett can't go, she ditches her date and drinks herself into a drunken stupor at a restaurant across the street. And it's here she runs into Henry, the date that she stood up. When she explains that she's not ready to date, that she's feeling desolate, he offers to help her find her passion in New York and just like that, the Passion Project is born.

I really enjoyed this book. Bennett's depressive state is acutely relatable. You can feel her grief through the pages, and I found myself really rooting for her. And for Henry. While Bennett's grief is palpable, there are strong themes of friendship, mistakes, and healing. There were also parts where I laughed out loud. I wouldn't call this a light read, but it was heartwarming, and I found myself reading way past my bedtime.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Viking for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Fantastic read especially for people in their 20s/30s who can relate to feeling lost and confused with how they want their life to go. I think Bennet was easily one of the most relatable characters I’ve read about in a while - she’s anxious, lost, and clumsy and just wants to have a life she sees others living. Henry is such a cutie he brings light and spontaneous energy that we all need in life to help get her out of this funk she’s in.
Overall, a fun book that does deal with some heavier topics, such as grief, but it makes the story so much more. I will say my only issue I ran into was sometimes as much as I love Bennet she was a little bit whiny and annoying about how much she DIDNT want to do things (but at the same time I get it girl,same)

Passion Project is a heartwarming and emotionally rich romantic comedy that beautifully balances laughter with loss. The story follows a protagonist who, still reeling from a deep personal grief, rediscovers purpose—and love—through an unexpected collaboration that begins as a professional partnership and blossoms into something far more meaningful.

What makes this book shine is its sensitivity. The author handles the subject of grief with a light but respectful touch, allowing the story to feel honest without being heavy. The romantic chemistry is sweet and slow-building, with just the right amount of tension and playful banter. It’s not just about falling in love with someone new, but about rediscovering parts of yourself that got lost along the way.